Blog Guidelines

ASQ Discussion Boards Moderators Objective: The member leader/staff partnership provides a valuable link with the participants of the ASQ Discussion Boards. Moderators, both member and staff, play a critical role, serving as the eyes and ears of the members who participate in the ASQ discussion boards. The moderators facilitate open communications and build trust among the participants; ensuring members are able to participate in meaningful exchanges.

Criteria: To ensure the goals of the ASQ discussion boards are met (robust discussion, open communications, positive exchanges by all who wish to participate), the moderators will possess the following characteristics.

A history of posting in a positive and professional manner.

ASQ Full membership (Forum/Division membership for Forum and Division discussion boards and Associate membership for the e-Section discussion board)

Familiarity with ASQ and other quality resources.

Availability to reply to posts within two business days if there are no responses to a thread of discussion

Willingness to professionally remind those who may be violating policies of the ASQ Discussion Boards Rules and Etiquette and ASQ Disclaimer and Legal Rules requirements.

The ability, knowledge, and experience to respond to a specific topic.

An open mind regarding the opinions of all participants.

Roles/Responsibilities:

Read visitor posts regularly. (Commenting on posts is left to the moderator’s discretion).

Keep discussions on topic. Keep the discussion board relevant by ensuring a minimum of two posts are made per week (either by the moderator or by the community).

When there is lack of discussion, post questions about a hot button topic.

Reply within 2 business days (24 hours for staff if post is related to ASQ operations) to specific questions that have not received a response.

Ensure dissenting points of view are heard and understood.

Write posts in an unbiased conversational writing style.

Keep postings brief (under 300 words is a good rule).

Share knowledge and experiences.

Comment on areas of interest.

Check facts and reference sources.

Link to other sources (may include ASQ and external links, as appropriate).

Maintain an awareness of what is being written and said about the designated topic in all media (blogs, articles, news, etc.).

Monitor for trends (especially the potential for new ASQ Discussion Boards).

Contact us if and when there are questions about relevancy or appropriateness of comments or cross-postings made by visitors.

Inform us of potentially libelous or otherwise inappropriate postings.

Establish and maintain credibility with your audience.

Serve on a Moderator Advisory Team that meets periodically (via conference call) to discussion moderator issues, discussion board issues and improvements, and serve as a final decision point should a member violate discussion board rules, etiquette and/or legal rules.